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Openings

FORT BLISS, TX — The first megaplex on a U.S. military installation has opened as part of a new shopping mall on the Fort Bliss army base called Freedom Crossing. As earlier reported, the Grand Theatre, operated by Southern Theaters, features ten screens, stadium seating, and all digital projection. Civilians may attend the Grand Theatre if they enter the base at one of two designated gates and provide government-issued identification.

There are stories about the new mall and the theater’s opening at KFOX and in the El Paso Times

OCALA, FL — Closed for over three years and in need of much work, nonetheless the Ocala Drive-in is going to reopen in late December. Brothers John and Charles Watzke have leased the theater from its Illinois owner; they and their new manager, Jeff Beenblossom, are working to get the property in shape. It will have both traditional speaker poles and FM sound.

The new theater will have about 150 parking spaces with speakers and another 400 that will be able to pick up the audio portion of movies through FM radio signals.

The three men plan to repaint the screen, rewire the speakers and restore the concession stand.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Moviegoers in the greater Scottsdale area will have even more options before the end of the year. In addition to the new IPic theater, UltraStar Cinemas will be opening its new cinema at the Scottsdale Pavilions, which is a two million dollar renovation of the former UA Scottsdale Pavilions 11 which closed in 2009. The renovated cinema will have VIP amenities in six of the eleven screening rooms, and a dramatic front entrance and lobby area.

“We like to think we have the perfect moviegoing experience for everyone,” said Damon Rubio, UltraStar executive vice president of operations.

Movie theaters have long been among the most accessible forms of entertainment with a one-size-fits-all approach to serving customers on a first-come, first-served basis. Now, premium theaters have upgraded amenities but with ticket prices two to three times higher than standard cinemas.

There is more, including a link to a slideshow of the theater, at AZcentral.com.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — IPic Entertainment of Boca Raton, which recently took over the operation of the Gold Class Cinemas in the U.S., has announced that it will be opening a plush new eight-screen theater in the Scottsdale Quarter in time for the holiday movie season. Amenities will include advanced digital projection and sound, premium food offerings, online reserved seating, and cocktail service.

IPic Theaters will transform Scottsdale’s movie-going experience to a gold-standard evening out thanks to amenities such as reserved online seating; complimentary valet parking; complimentary popcorn; as well as high-end food and beverage service throughout the film. The Scottsdale Quarter movie theater will house eight intimate auditoriums, each with two tiers of custom-designed plush seats, wall-to-wall movie screens and state-of-the-art digital technology.

“What makes the IPic experience unique is the additional activities and amenities we offer, making a night at the movies truly customizable for each and every movie lover,” said Hamid Hashemi, president and CEO of IPic Entertainment, which recently acquired the Gold Class Cinemas chain in the United States. “Our guests can enjoy their favorite movie in a relaxing and comfortable setting, with the option to come early for a great dining experience before or during the movie or to stay late and enjoy the theater’s after-hours ultra lounge, Salt.”

WILDWOOD, MO — B&B Theatres opened the latest addition to its growing chain of theaters in this outer suburb, about thirty miles west of Saint Louis, on October 1. B&B is calling the new Wildwood 10 the flagship of its operations; the theater boasts all-digital projection and two suites for those over 21. There are no projection booths and no boxoffice; ticketing occurs at concession registers. The largest screen is fifty-four feet in width.

The theater’s unique, adults-only Marquee Suites feature reclining leather chairs with foot rests and marble side tables to accommodate its concessions, which include mixed drinks and hot foods such as flat-bread pizzas from the nearby Table Three restaurant.

Bagby hopes the theaters will become a community social hub on the newly developed Main Street in Wildwood. She said her family is bullish on presenting movies in theaters, which have traditionally thrived when the rest of the economy has suffered, and she’s not worried about competition from home theaters.

LAKE WORTH, TX — Starplex Cinemas put out the welcome mat at the Lake Worth Movies 14 on October 15. In addition to all digital projection and 3D capability, the cinema has high back rocker stadium seating and a birthday party room among its amenities.

Lake Worth Movies 14 is a brand new all digital theatre featuring Real D 3-D digital projection and a new expanded concession menu including hand dipped Blue Bell ice cream, pizzas, mini corn dogs, pretzels and more. Plush, stadium high-back rocker seating will be installed with cup holder arm rests for patrons' convenience. Digital surround sound and wall-to-wall screens are in all auditoriums. Avoid the lines with the convenience of at-home ticketing or Automated Box Office (ABO) kiosks for easy ticket purchasing. Birthday party rooms will also be available for event rentals.

WAYNESBORO, VA — The first Zeus Digital Theatre opened in Waynesboro on October 8. Complementing its name, the theater has a lobby reminiscent of ancient Greece, all stadium seating, and eight screens (the article mistakenly says ten), two of which are 3D capable.

Economists say they see the potential, but the size of the impact will depend on how much new spending the theater generates in the city as opposed to revenue from patrons who would have spent money elsewhere.

“This an amenity that has been missing for quite some time,” Assistant City Manager Jim Shaw said. “It will be good for our citizens and continues to make Waynesboro a draw in the region.”

BLOSSBURG, PA — The Victoria Theatre here is showing movies again after being closed for over three decades. Apparently kept in relatively good condition, the building dates to 1901 and it use as a theater to 1915. Movies are now being shown on weekends.

Though Gorda couldn’t say how much was spent on the project until all the bills come in, he did say that they were “lucky” the building had been “grandfathered” in under zoning laws, which helped keep down the costs.

“Mostly what we did was patch and paint the walls, and (did) a lot of cleaning,” Gorda said.

WILLS POINT, TX — The last film was shown at the Majestic Theatre on October 3. Opened in 1926, it was one of the oldest operating movie houses in Texas; its struggle to survive was was reported earlier this year.

Despite the comedy playing on the screen, few were in the mood to laugh, knowing.. they were watching the end of one of the state’s oldest movie theaters.

“I know it’s coming for a couple of years, but you’re not ready for it,” said Majestic employee John Allen. “It’s still real tough.”